tage in such a flight, nor any benefit; by remaining in the field; for if the time for the dissolution of all had then arrived, the place of the disaster could be of but little consequence.
But notwithstanding the appalling events by which His judgment is to be distinguished, the Lord proceeded to declare that "His Word should not pass away." Does not this clearly prove that mankind will remain upon the earth after that judgment has been executed? The Word is for the special edification of men, but the circumstance of its being continued in the world would be of no use if there were no men to be edified. Indeed it is not easy to see how the Word could remain without them; for as unto them have been committed the oracles of God,[1] to whom else are they to be entrusted? If men are to cease, then the purposes for which the Word has been provided in the world will have been accomplished; but the Word is not to pass away; hence those purposes are not to terminate, and therefore we conclude that the perpetuity of mankind is evident and certain.
Again: the Lord said, "Two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left."[2] This very clearly shows that the last judgment is not intended to put an end to the human race. The circumstance that some people are to be left in the pursuit of their respective occupations after the event in which it is commonly supposed all will be swept away, not only proves the error of that opinion, but strongly intimates that mankind will always be preserved.
It may be said that those passages have reference to the invasion of Judea and the terrible destruction of Jerusalem.
